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Free Stuff for your birthday or your kids

If you sign up with these clubs you can get free stuff your your birthday…

Sonic Birthday Club

Get a free Wacky Pack Kids Meal on kids birthday for kids 12 and younger, Sonic Birthday Club.

Boston Market

Each family member can be a part of this birthday club, Boston Market VIP Club.

Baskin Robbins

Get a 2.5 oz scoop free on your birthday, Baskin Robbins Birthday Club.

California Pizza Kitchen

Get a free CP Kids meal during your birthday month when you join California Pizza Kitchen CPKids Birthday Club. Kids 10 and under only.

Toys R Us

Your child can get a fun birthday card and gift in the mail, plus special in store treatment on their birthday. Kids 10 and under, Toys R Us Geoffreys Birthday Club.

Old Spaghetti Factory Kids Club

Kids can receive a free kids meal, kids 10 and under. Old Spaghetti Factory Kids Club.

Denver Zoo

Child gets free admission on their birthday. Denver Zoo birthday club

Red Robin

Get a free burger on your birthday. Red Robin eClub.

Cold Stone Creamery

Get a free ice cream on your birthday, yumm. Cold stone creamery birthday club.

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Free Summer Movies

Arvada: Flicks in the Square

Friday nights in August, enjoy family friendly outdoor movies in Town Square at Olde Town Arvada.

www.historicarvada.org

Highlands Ranch: Movie Madness

Friday night in August, 8:30ish. Recreation center at Southridge.

www.hrcaconline.org

Broomfield:  Movies in the Park

Saturday nights in July movies shown on a giant inflatable screen. Broomfield Commons Park.

www.yourlocalcreditunion.com/cfcu/movies.asp

Denver: Movies in the Park

Movies under the summer sky. Call the city services to find location at 311

www.denvergov.org

Littleton: Free family film Festival

Free outdoor showing of family favorites. Aspen Grove Shopping Center

www.shopaspengrove.com

Parker: Parker Chamber Picture show

O’Brien Park downtown Parker

www.parkerchamber.com

Thronton: Movies in the Park

Thornton Multipurpose fields near the Carpenter Recreation Center

www.yourlocalcreditunion.com

Golden: Movies & Music in the Park

Live music at 7 movie at dusk Parfet Park

www.goldengreat.org

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Staycation

I have always wanted to travel to different places, but so far life has not allowed me to do to. I stumbled across some web-cams of different places, now I can go see the Eiffel tower without spending a penny. Check these out…

http://www.earthcam.com/

http://www.uswebcameras.com/

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/cameras/

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Things to do this summer…

school

School ends for us on June 2nd thanks to two snow days this school year.

1. Make a scrapbook documenting your summer, work on the album all summer long.

2. Pick a fun place or park and have a picnic lunch there.

3. Help your kids to find a pen-pal in your town or faraway and to write back and forth with them. You can try this site http://www.friendship-by-mail.com/pen-pals-for-kids.html

4. Plan a trip together and take it.

5. Go see a baseball game as a family. Pick a team and cheer your heart out.

6. Get a job, in most states 15 year olds can get a summer job with parents permission. For little kids something like a lemonade stand will be fun.

7. Practice your photography skills and make a collage.

8. Let the kids plan and shop for the occasional dinner.

9. Read a book that’s been turned into a movie, and then compare the two of them. eg. “Cheaper by the Dozen” is good for younger kids or see this list for more ideas.

10. Start your own poetry book, you can include sketches or pressed  flowers if you want too.

11. Get a book from the library about fireworks and then go see a display.

12. Invent a new cookie flavor or try a new recipe.

13. Take the kids on a boat ride.

14. Paint a picture of your dream house.

15. Go camping

16. Go to a working farm and pick some fruit or veggies.

17. Listen to nature and list all the things you hear.

18. Create your own sports camp do drills practice skills go over rules and play a game.

19. Keep a summer journal, small kids can use writing prompts.

20. Make a puzzle out of an old greeting card.

21. Sing karaoke, you can even do a friendly competition among family and friends.

22. Invent a new kind of sandwich,  think of a name and add campaign for it.

23. Learn to do balloon folding, you can get a cheap kit that includes balloons from most book stores. See if you can make a dog.

24. Pack up a backpack and hit a local hiking trail.

25. Go for a nature walk and find as many different kinds of flowers as you can, take them home, press and turn them into stickers.

26. Design and set up your own website.

27. Go on a virtual summer camping trip. http://www.homeschoollearning.com/summer/summer.shtml

28. Learn to dance eg. line dancing, ballroom, or whatever

29. Volunteer

30. Go to the zoo and have a picnic.

31. Learn a new language as a family and then use it to communicate with each other.

32. Set up an obstacle course in your yard, give a little prize for best time through it.

33. Create and go on a treasure hunt, do the map and everything..

34. Make a cool fort out of couch cushions and blankets, curl up inside and read stories to each other.

35. Plan and have a winter themed party.

36. Collect all of your recyclables and donate the money to a good cause.

37. Help by cleaning up a nature trail or roadside some where.

38.  Design and build a tree house or backyard play house.

39. Draw a picuture of the kind of world you would like to live in.

40. Set up and run a lemonade stand.

41. Learn a new sport or activity

42. Find out where the free concerts are at in your area and plan to attend them.

43. Pick out games for a family game night.

44. Write a script and film a movie starring the kids.

45. Pull out all the unread magazines and make a collage using pictures and words you find.

46. Make a terrarium

47. Go canoeing

48. Go exploring in your local library, find a new author or book series to try out.

49. Go to a local museum.

50. Re-evaluate the family fire plan and practice it.

51. Have a bubble blowing contest, and offer a sweet treat for prizes.

52. Start a blog

53. Plant some flowers and take care of them

54. Stop by a fun tourist spot in your area

55. Clean out the extra clutter and have a garage sale.

56. Have a sandcastle making contest.

57. Donate unwanted clothes and toys

58. Do some climbing around in the family tree.

59. Make and fly your own kite.

60.Make and play your own board or card game.

61. Try out geocaching

62. Read and act out your favorite play or story

63. Create a time capsule to opened 10 years from now.

64. Have a meet the neighbors potluck/block party

65. Make a bird feeder to hang up outside, document the different types of birds that come to visit.

66. Decorate your bikes and go for a ride.

67. Plan a special activity with grandparents

68. Learn first aid and cpr

69. Dig for dinosaur fossils

70. Write your own song.

71. Tie dye a tee shirt or socks or something

72. Take your dog for a walk or borrow the neighbors.

73. Learn to make a proper paper airplane.

74. Spend the entire day without the tv on.

75. Do the summer reading program at the local library.

76. Find and try out some new outdoor games.

77. Do a recycled art project

78. Watch your favorite move with a good friend.

79. Try your hand at making home made ice cream, go for a unique flavor like strawberry shortcake.

80. Jump on a trampoline

81. Find a magazine that you like and get a subscription.

82. Plan and organize a scavenger hunt.

83. Spend the day at a water park.

84. Paint a self portrait or one of the family.

85. Start collecting something

86. Write a children’s book.

87. Listen to a audio book series.

88. Look up at the night sky, learn to recognize a few constellations.

89. Learn to sew and do a simple project.

90. Visit a National park and have a picnic.

91. Rent a video and pop some popcorn.

92. Roast some marshmallows and make .

93. Do some bird watching.

94. Arrange some flowers for the dinning room table.

95. Create a photo slide show  set it to music and burn it to cd for the grandparents.

96. Redecorate your bedroom or another room in the house.

97. Learn to play chess or checkers.

98. Adopt a pet

99. Do a book of brain teasers.

100. Make up your own holiday, and decide how to celebrate it.

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Fun things to do with your baby

sunbt1a

  • Pack a picnic. Go to the park with a blanket and lunch. Let baby feel the grass tickle on his feet, and have him lay in your lap and watch the leaves rustle in the wind. Even if he’s too young to roll a ball, he’ll love watching other people play. Frisbee games, bikes, dogs, birds, and squirrels are all five-star entertainment
  • Consider a class. Because of unpredictable naps and moods, babies who are younger than 6 months don’t always get a huge amount out of classes. Moms probably benefit more from them — and that’s okay as long as you choose an activity you actually enjoy! Some examples: Mommy and Me yoga (check your local yoga studio), a music class like Music Together or Kindermusik, a group exercise class such as Stroller Strides or Strollercize, or infant massage (hospitals often offer classes).
  • Paint a pot. When her son was 5 months old, Lori Bloomberg, of Manhattan, arranged to meet some of her new-mommy friends and their babies at a pottery-painting studio. “Each of us put our baby’s footprint on something, like a bowl or a spoon rest. I made a frame with my son Avery’s footprint, put a photo in it, and saved it for his dad’s Father’s Day gift,” Bloomberg says. If you don’t have a pottery studio near you, buy a handprint or footprint kit at a crafts store with a couple of other mothers and head to one mom’s backyard.
  • Tune in, rock out. When was the last time you gave your dusty CDs a second look? Plant yourselves in front of your collection, and listen to favorites from your college years or your best-loved soundtracks. Stacey Rosenberg, of Weston, Connecticut, preferred to keep the TV turned off when her twin boys were babies, but she spent lots of time listening to music with them. “I exposed them to the artists my husband and I like most, such as Bob Marley and Dave Matthews,” Rosenberg says. “Not only did these songs soothe them, but they soothed me as well!”
  • Make a net flick. As soon as you manage to send one batch of baby photos to loved ones, you’re hounded for new pictures. Thankfully, today’s technology can make sharing milestones a creative project. Robyn Wolkofsky, of Charlotte, North Carolina, used a digital camera to record mini videos of her daughter, Brooke, each day. Then she sent the short movies via the Internet to her baby’s grandparents. “When I sat Brooke on my lap in front of the camera, she turned into such a ham-cooing and blowing raspberries. It was so funny, and it helped her grandparents, who live eight states away, feel close to her.” To easily e-mail audio clips of your little one, check out the audio recorder at firstwordz.com.
  • Talk to the animals. Go to the pet store, and watch your baby laugh with glee when she sees the puppies and kittens jumping around. Identify the animals, and then help her wave hello to each of them. Exotic-bird stores can be entertaining, too, especially if the bird gives your baby a shout-out.
  • Relive your wedding day. Get out your wedding video and have fun reminiscing about your big day, while pointing out all the guests your baby knows. He’ll be amazed to see them on TV! “My son, Jack, liked watching our video so much that more than two years later, he still asks me to turn on ‘The Wedding Show,’” says Laurie Rosen, of Westchester, New York.
  • Say hola, bambino. Always wanted to polish up your Spanish or learn the basics of French? Do it! Borrow language tapes from the library, or buy them from a bookstore or at berlitz.com. Then practice them around your child. You can also find storybooks in Spanish to read aloud. Your baby may not actually pick up any words, but research has shown that a baby’s exposure to another language can help improve her mastery of foreign languages down the road.
  • Share a soak. Relaxing in a tub can be a reality! Listen to classical music or sing a lullaby as you soak together in warm water. If your baby is feeling more playful, add in some bath toys and plastic cups, and sing Ernie’s “Rubber Duckie.” Either way, it’s a great bonding experience. For safety reasons, be sure not to fill the tub too high, and always have a firm hold on your child.
  • Walk down the aisle of a fabric store. For some reason, new motherhood can bring out our inner craftswoman. Dreams of adorable, hand-sewn stuffed animals dance in our heads (even if we’ve never held a needle and thread). Spend some time in a fabric store, and you’ll be inspired to channel your energy into a creative project. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the selection, ask staffers to suggest some ideas, including those of the no-sew variety. At the same time, make the shopping experience a visual and tactile adventure for your baby. Expose him to furry fabrics, yards of shimmery sequins, and rolls of satiny ribbons.
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    Online Stores everyone should know about

    These are all places I like to visit regularly.

    Amazon.com - Great for diapers, toys, movies, books, magazines, and just about everything your heart desires.

    Anthropologie.com- Unique clothes, shoes, jewelry etc..

    Etsy.com - Unique site with all handmade things. You can find pretty much anything there.

    Bluefly.com -  Designer clothing and accessories. Watch the sales.

    Containerstore.com - For all you storage needs. They have such cool gadgets.

    Dylanscandybar.com - Chocolate lover approved!

    Netaporter.com- For the fashionista in you.

    Ronrobinson.com - Super cool, and cute things for kids.

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    Time to laugh out loud

    Super funny youtube videos, you shouldn’t miss.

    Girl Licking Pickle

    Panda sneezes

    Baby Charlie bit me

    Dancing up the Aisle

    Ninja Baby

    Quads laughing

    Baby Talk

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    10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

    Spread the Love!

    You don’t have to break the bank to express your love this Valentine’s Day. We’ve come up with some easy and creative ways you and the kids can spread the love:

    1. Make an entirely heart-shaped dinner. Bake pizza from scratch, forming the dough into a heart-shape. Place toppings in a heart-shaped design, too. Serve something red to drink like pomegranate juice. Bake brownies or a cake using heart-shaped baking pans available in the grocery store, or use a heart-shaped cookie-cutter to cut brownies or cookies. Serve the meal on decorated, heart-shaped placemats the kids can make from construction paper or paper doilies.

    2. Write love notes. Tuck a love note in your child’s lunch everyday in February for a whole month of love. If that would embarrass them too much, slip a note under their pillow every night.

    3. Post your love. Post a big paper heart on the wall with sticky notes and a pen nearby. Encourage everyone to write something they love about their family every day and post it on the heart. Keep it up all month long to remind everyone what is special about their family.

    4. Play Cupid. Play at the Cupid Carnival making valentines and participating in other Valentine’s Day games and activities at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling Street. The carnival is for ages 3-6 and reservations are required by February 10. The cost is $8. Contact 303-231-1300 or http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us.

    5. Learn about Valentines. Learn the history of Valentines and make old-fashioned Victorian cards (ages 6 and older) on February 14, 2pm-3:30pm at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway. The cost is $5 ($4 for Aurora residents). Contact 303-739-6666 for more information.

    6. Play at the library. Check out the love at various Arapahoe County Libraries throughout February. Kids ages 5 - 11 can get in the mood for Valentine fun with a story, craft and treat, for free, but reservations are required at 303-542-7279. www.arapahoelibraries.org.

    7. Make Valentine crafts. Wow, that’s a lot of love happening at the WOW! Children’s Museum. From February 12 – 14, kids can make a special card or craft in the art room, while supplies last. It’s included with regular admission at 110 N. Harrison Avenue in Lafayette. 303-604-2424. www.wowmuseum.com.

    8. Countdown to Valentine’s Day. Create an advent calendar for your child. Write a little message on a folded sticky note and attach it to a calendar from February 1 – 14. Each day, your child can open the note to reveal something you love about them like, “I love your laugh,” “I love your freckles,” “I love how you take care of the cat,” etc. February 14th’s note? “Happy Valentine’s Day” of course.

    9. Take in a Valentine show. Love the art of dance with Ballet Nouveau Colorado’s Valentine show, February 12 - 14, featuring new works created by BNC’s own company members and artistic staff. Held at the Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Federal Heights, tickets are $16-42 through 303-466-5685 and www.bncdance.com.

    10. Read a good Valentine book. Nourish a love of reading with a trip to your local library or bookstore. There are many, charming books for kids about Valentine’s Day to help you keep the love in your heart year-round.

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    Butterflies & Bubbly

    Title: Butterflies & Bubbly
    Location: The Butterfly Pavillion
    Description: enjoy a romantic evening with a champagne tasting, appetizers, candlelight and a guided tour through the tropical conservatory. 40$ a couple. Reservations required. 720-974-1878
    Start Time: 5:30
    Date: 2010-02-12

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    Valentine Day Trivia

    What’s Your Valentine’s Day IQ?

     val_heart05

     Valentine’s Day wasn’t always about love letters, flowers and savory sweets. No, this heartfelt holiday actually has rather bawdy beginnings—ones that would make even Cupid blush. So what’s your Valentine’s Day IQ? Take our quiz and find out!    

    1. Who is credited with sending the first Valentine?

    a)  William Shakespeare
    b) 
    Louise XIV of France
    c) 
    Charles, Duke of Orleans
    d) 
    Robert Browning

    A. b

    2. Saint Valentine was…

    a)  A traveling musician who roamed the Italian countryside, serenading young lovers with his harp.
    b) 
    A Roman bishop who performed secret weddings, defying the Emperor’s law that prohibited soldier from getting married.
    c)  
    A 6th Century Pope who preached monogamy and eventually became the patron saint of marriage.
    d) 
    A missionary who brought Christianity to the tribes of Africa.

    A. b

    3. What is the name of the winged, bow-and-arrow toting child who graces most Valentine’s Day cards? 

    a)  Venus
    b) 
    Apollo
    c) 
    Cupid
    d) 
    Puck  

    A. 3
    4. Valentine’s Day has to try harder because it is the second most popular American holiday in terms of greeting cards sent. What holiday takes the top spot?

    a)  Christmas
    b) 
    Mother’s Day
    c) 
    Easter
    d) 
    Thanksgiving

    A. a

    5. Who crafted the first U.S.-made valentines?

    a)  Benjamin Franklin
    b) 
    Joyce C. Hallmark
    c) 
    Elizabeth Cady Stanton
    d)
      Esther Howland

    A.  d

    6. Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14th?

    a)  It commemorates the anniversary of St. Valentine’s death.
    b) 
    It marks the anniversary of the canonization of St. Valentine.
    c)  I
    t is the Christian Church’s retort to a once-popular, but now defunct, pagan holiday that was held on February 15th.
    d) 
    Nobody really knows.

    A. d

    7. Just days before his death, St. Valentine wrote a passionate plea to a forbidden love. How did he sign the letter?

    a)  Ours is a love that will echo throughout the ages.
    b) 
    From your Valentine.
    c) 
    Remember me, remember this day, remember our love
    d) 
    We shall meet again.

    A. b

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